NOS.com: Joe Vitt Says Emphasis is on Third Down, Fourth Quarter Against Broncos

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Joe Vitt Says Emphasis is on Third Down, Fourth Quarter Against Broncos

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Opening Statement: “Today our emphasis in practice was third down. To be quite honest with everybody, since we’ve been here in 2006, this is one of the first football teams where they do have some decided advantages on third down. ...

Opening Statement: “Today our emphasis in practice was third down. To be quite honest with everybody, since we’ve been here in 2006, this is one of the first football teams where they do have some decided advantages on third down. They’re going to create schematically, defensively and offensively, some real challenges for us. We had a good practice today. We still have some things to work through. Our practices have been sharp, the intent of players has been outstanding and we’ll continue to prepare as the week goes on.”

Have you been here long enough to realize what the secondary needs to improve on, specifically with the big plays they have given up?

“This is a game of inches. We’ve been close to having our hands on some balls and it’s been two inches away. We’ve left some plays out on the field because we’ve had dropped interceptions. We’ve let some big plays get out the gate because we are misaligned. That’s been the emphasis this week. Number one, do your job. Take care of your responsibility, know who to get, know how to get him and know what to do. This quarterback is unforgiving. The emphasis has been detail your assignment and get lined up a little bit quicker.”

What do you see with the progression of this Denver team? Is it everyone becoming comfortable with Peyton Manning? Is he just starting to take over?

“I think it’s a combination of both. I think it’s a good point. Schematically, it’s a different scheme now up in Denver. When he was with the Colts it was a left and a right receiver with Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. They’ve gone back to a conventional Z, X and a Y. When you go with the no-huddle, those guys have to get lined up and get in their proper positions or stay on the side and know a different position. So, I think all of those things take time when you have a no-huddle, you’re verbalizing protections, you’re verbalizing routes and you’re trying to get them lined up. It’s been a work in progress. Now, that being said, this offense has been strong the last three games now. What they’ve done in the second half we said yesterday was historical. What they’ve done in the fourth quarter is unheard of. They’re getting better every game. I am sure they are getting better every practice. John Fox is a demanding coach, Peyton Manning is a demanding quarterback and they certainly willing people that want to get better on that offense.”